Conference asd::snowmobiles

    	Question:
    
    I have an Indy Sport (440 fan) with about 1500 miles on it. I have been
    doing some suspension tuning and noticed how uni-directional my track
    is. It is set up or optimum braking performance. So, I get this bright
    idea to flip it and take advantage of some serious traction potential.
    Before I do this, I'm trying to find someone who has done this before,
    or knows of someone who has. I'm basically wondering how/if it will
    effect my track. I know that when changing direction on radial tires,
    more than likely  some belt shifting may occur. A track is not a tire,
    but it is manufactured with rubber and cords... any input???
    
    
    Thanks,
    
    -kev_
    

    I have heard that flipping the track is an old Drag racer's trick. It
    certainly helps forward traction (but at the expense of stopping) I'll
    defer to the experts in the file to see if they have actually flipped
    their tracks.
    
    Tap
    
    Sounds a little like a conversation that a reporter had with Ferrari
    about his use of drum brakes (why use such old technology), to which
    Ferrari replied that he designed cars to go fast, not to slow down.
    
    Which also reminds me a trail sign Nancy and I saw near Sherbrooke
    It was the hood of a Formula Plus (obviously crashed) nailed to
    a tree.                                

    	I can recall a discussion a long time ago about flipping the tract
    on Yamahas since the profile of the track looks like it's backwards.
    What I remember is that if flipped there's a tendency to scoop snow or
    dig in versus the way in which the track was designed...  to compress
    the snow under acceleration thereby getting a firmer bite.  From memory
    here.
    
    Dick

	Yup... when they came out with all-rubber tracks that was the 1st
	trick of getting a hole-shot.  stopping was compromised though.
	Worked great on the old El Tigre's !

	Regards,

	Chuck

    
    
        With todays tracks flipping it around won't buy you much.
    
        The fact is that when you punch it the track, regardless 
        of where the slant is, is going to dig in and send you 
        off.  True if you look at it you might think your getting 
        an plus out of the deal,  but you have to look at it from 
        the perspective of the sled is producing mega horsepower 
        through the track to the ground.  
    
        The raw horsepower exceeds the capability of the track to
        hook up - by far.  (Which is the major point.)  So turning 
        the track around will be almost a moot point for starting 
        traction but becomes a major negative while bracking, if
        braking is done correctly.  (Keeping the track unloaded 
        so the track design actually digs and bites into the trail.
    
        As a suggestion, I'd reconsider turning the track and look 
        towards tractions products, studs. 
    
        Your sled would do very nicely with a 72 pick pattern, if
        you are an aggressive rider.  That along with some nice six
        inch sixty degree carbides in the front with some minor 
        suspension tweeks ought to give you some major trail 
        performance and fair hook up out of the hole. 
    
    
       -Rick.